Psalm Category: Psalm of Lament

Central Thought: Psalm 26 reminds us that it is only through the mercy and redeeming love of God that we make it home.

Key Word: Qahal (v. 5). Qahal is translated as “assemble” in verse 5. In that verse the psalmist declares that he does not “assemble” with the wicked. In the Greek version of the Old Testament, this word is most often translated as ekklesia. Ekklesia is translated in the New Testament as “church” (e.g., Matt. 16:18; 18:17). A form of Qahal also appears in verse 12 (maqhelim) and is translated by the NIV as “great assembly.” Psalm 26 reminds us that there are two places we can assemble, with the world or with the church.

Psalm 26

Recently my wife and I traveled to China to adopt our daughter, Katie. After 8,000 miles, four flights, and three cities, we were longing for home. Our longing was so great that it enabled us to endure another 7,000 miles and four additional flights on the return trip! We could endure this because we knew we were going home.

In Psalm 26, the psalmist was experiencing a similar longing for home; but he wasn’t longing to return to Pittsburgh. He was longing for heaven.

The Marks of the Homeward Bound (vv. 1-8): In Psalm 26, the psalmist is longing for assurance that God will admit him into His presence. He begins the psalm by attempting to prove that he has the requisite characteristics of one to be admitted into God’s presence. He claims to have the marks of the homeward bound.

He is so sure of his possession of these marks that he calls upon God to “test,” “try,” and “examine” him (v. 2). The psalmist enumerates four marks of the homeward bound. The first mark is an “unwavering” trust in God (v. 1). Some have mistakenly interpreted the psalmist’s attitude as one of self-righteousness, but his statement of trust in God entirely discredits this reading. Clearly, the psalmist is not relying on his own faithfulness, but instead has God’s love ever before him (v. 3). The first mark of the homeward bound is an unwavering trust in God for salvation. Do you possess this mark?

The second mark is walking in God’s truth. The psalmist states in verse 1 that he has led a “blameless life” and in verse 3 that he walks “continually” in God’s truth. Again, it would be a mistake to interpret this as a declaration of self-righteousness. Instead, the psalmist is declaring that he has endeavored, wholeheartedly, to orient his life according to God’s commands. Is this true of your life? Do you possess this mark?

The third mark is separation from the ungodly. This mark emerges in verses 4-5 in which the psalmist declares that he does not “sit” or “consort” with those who abhor God. The psalmist doesn’t dwell with the “wicked,” “deceitful,” “evildoers,” and “hypocrites” (vv. 4-5). Are you separating yourself from the ungodly? Do you possess this mark?

The fourth mark is a passionate love for God’s praise, people, and house. The psalmist begins to describe this love in verses 6-7 by declaring his desire to come near to God’s altar to proclaim His “praise” and to tell of His “wonderful deeds” (v. 7). This is not about praise in the prayer closet, but rather praise in the throng of God’s people.

In verse 8, the psalmist unequivocally declares his love for God’s house and, ultimately, for God Himself: “I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells.” Do you love God’s praise, people, and house that much? Do you possess this mark?

Standing on Level Ground (vv. 9-12): Although the psalmist is confident that he possesses these four marks, he ultimately does not find his assurance in them. This is evidenced by verse 9, where he expresses his concern that his soul will end up with sinners. He then calls upon God to redeem him and to be merciful to him (v. 11).

It is only after voicing this request that the psalmist experiences full assurance: “My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord” (v. 12). Although the psalmist is not home yet, he knows he will make it to God’s earthly house, and that, through God’s mercy, he will make it to his ultimate home. You too can possess this assurance by trusting in Jesus Christ, the One through whom God displayed His great mercy and redemptive love (Eph. 2:4-8).

—Anthony Selvaggio